“It is unfortunate first and foremost, but I’ve come to, not accept it, but to understand the rehab process,” Matthews said. “I think a younger Clay thought the world was over and I was going to be cut the next day and I’m not living up to the billing.

“But I’ve just got to get healthy. It’s part of the deal. When I come back I’m going to be the same player that I’ve been for the past several years, so, unfortunate yes. I wish we all had an answer for it, but I’ll come back and I’ll make the plays that I do.”

While Matthews was making guarantees about Sunday, coach Mike McCarthy was a little more cautious.

If that thing blows up again, it’ll be another one of those 4-5 week sabbaticals that we’ve all gotten used to seeing.

Let one of the new guys prove his worth. If they can’t step up, why are they on the team? I know there’s no replacing CMIII, but if there’s not a couple of guys (see Perry, Jones 1, Neal, Hawk, ,) who can dial it up in his absence to carry the flag, isn’t that a glaring indictment of the true state of this defensive roster and the steps that have been taken to create it?

Look at the schedule of the Lions and Bears. 9-10 wins won’t win the division. We will probably lose against Baltimore so a loss tomorrow is effectively a 1-4 start. That would mean we would have to go 9-2 the rest of the season.

You’ve already counted the Packers out for next week against Baltimore. And based on that prediction I’m gonna assume you believe that the Packers will lose tomorrow too. That’s a healthy attitude. Way to go.